Ideas for music video

I have decided to work by myself at A2, this is because last year I worked with 2 other people, it was good to split up the work load, but difficult to have your own idea implied into the video when everyone has to agree. I want to work alone because I feel I am able to complete the work and I can put all my own ideas and planning into it.


I was inspired by Jack Garrett's music video of 'Weathered' for my idea,  and the British drama on E4 called 'Glue'. I don't want to make it cheesy and with lots of exaggerated facial expressions, I hope for it to be natural like the scenery. My idea is brief at the moment but I hope to base it on the English countryside, with 1 person or a small group, I don't know why they are there, perhaps they are running from something or someone, but they will be in a woods, one part they will be running, it will go into slow motion and then speed up to show how fast they are running. Some parts will be inspired by Wes Anderson where everything is very centred and exact. ALT J's music videos, which have that alternative theme to them helped me get a few ideas together.

Jack Garratt, 'Weathered'

The video was directed by Andrew Donoho and shot in the canyons of Georgia. The video follows the adventures of three young brothers exploring a day out in the wilderness. To round off the video the brothers discover the luminous fungus (Foxfire), which is a natural phenomenon that occurs annually in Georgia.  The video switches between official shooting and a hand-held camera that they take with them on their trip. They wander to the tops of the Canyons and beneath too, finding a large lake and swimming, climbing trees, fighting  and just exploring the woods.
The typical boys adventure without the modern distractions of technology, the video strips back to the traditional boys having fun and messing about outside.
The Radical a digital magazine, created by fans said this about Jack Garratt's music videos 'They’re executed beautifully and are able to articulate thoughts and feelings you didn’t even know you were feeling. With “Weathered,” the actual story behind the song may be left ambiguous but the intent is clear as day. It awakens something inside of you that lets you feel a release. What that release is entirely up to you.'

E4 British Drama 'Glue'

This British TV drama, is based on the friends of a 14 year old boy, Cal Bray who is found dead. The investigation to find the killer reveals their dark and dirty secrets, hidden behind the picture-perfect English Countryside. The lighting is very dull and grey in certain parts, which seems to attract me, where the green parts are very visible, I like where the story is based around the countryside.
Glue was filmed in Berkshire, and over the weekend I am going to Windsor which is in Berkshire, there is lots of opportunity to film on Windsor estate and the surrounding areas to get some work which I can get some ideas from. There are lots of shots of the surroundings and close up of faces.

ALT-J 'Hunger of the Pine

Although the story is not based on what I hope to do for my coursework, the camera angles and shots inspire me, the running through the woods and the lighting I hope to transfer into my work. Some parts are slowed down and then to normal speed, I also like how certain parts focus in and out. It also links to the setting and surrounding I am interested in filming mine in.

Here is a link to an analysis if each shot in this video, I may use this in explanation for each shot that I use:

 http://www.slideshare.net/benjaminprice31/music-video-analysis-hunger-of-the-pine-altj

 

 

 

 

 

 

This video is also partly inspiration for my idea, the shot style of low and going in and out of focus, is a possibility for me. The location is in a woods and I like the slow motion parts, they aren't completely slowed down but its a steadied pace. I like the idea of children pretending to go to battle but have a pillow fight.

 

 

 

Genre in short films- Horror

Conventions of Horror Movies
Location of a wood, forest, abandoned house, lakes, subways, alleyways, run down buildings to emphasize on the innocence and darkness of the setting.
Props- chainsaws, knifes, axe, injections, guns, the weapons and props can tell what type of villain they are, and how the story will be set.
Common objective-  religious aspects, supernatural icons, gore, blood, science monster- werewolves, mummies, vampires.
Character types:
Main protagonist- hero/victim
Villain- often a monster, serial killer, possessed person.
The helpless stupid person that always gets killed off early on or mid way through.
In some psychological movies there are flashbacks of the past which starts off the movie, the person then haunts/possesses the building or one of the main characters.

Mise-en scene
-Usually set in isolated areas where there is nowhere left to run, pathetic fallacy is also used such as thunder and lightening to enhance the isolation.
Lighting
-Lighting is expressive and non-naturalistic
-Low key lighting to help create shadows and unfamiliar shapes.
- It can be used to set the mood of a scene or introduce a certain character, for example a villain, the lighting will may be dark and limited to hide the persons identity to create more fear

Props
-Large dangerous objects, Chainsaw, Knife, Weapons, Masks, Religious objects
-Sometimes set in everyday settings, houses, with normal objects

Camera Shots
-Expressive, quick shots to add fear and suspense
-High and low angles to show dominance or fear
-Handheld, shaky shots to give a raw sense

Sounds
-High pitched screeches
-Low, heaving beat
-Exaggerated sounds to make them sound louder than they are
-Disturbing sounds to put the audience at unease

Positives of Horror Films
-Storylines can be simple
-Can be very low budget like the Blair Witch Project of $60,000 but made over $3 million
-Music can create suspense and atmosphere
-Lots of possible ideas for the storyline
-Few characters needed

Negatives of Horror Films
 -Some can require large budgets for it to be successful and effective
-Can require lots of editing
- Scenes and sets can be expensive
-Editing can be expensive and time consuming and has to be done well or it could look like a film mocking horrors, and laughable.

Textual Analysis
The Exorcist:
When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
This is one of the greatest horror films of all time, its been made so famous by the inhuman detail and gruesome parts. Its mainly set in a girls bedroom, the close up shots enable the audience to see the fear on the mothers face and the terror of the possessed girl to really scare the audience. The lighting is quite dark for the freaky shots and extreme light to dark shows contrast, the light flickering cause the audience to be scared and nervous. the suspense is built up by sound and shots that prevent the audience from quickly seeing what is to come. The costume are very normal, the girl wears a night dress because she has not changed since the possession happened, it also gives a sense of vulnerability because she cant control what is happening and is still young.

 

 

My Own Idea of a Horror Film

A family go on a day out to a Castle which ends up being haunted by a ghost, various other people are also stuck inside, where they have to forfeit certain things and take part in activities to be released. Some people get killed in brutal ways and other survive, but only that family that is focused on eventually get out. Psychological horror, supernatural, possession.

Genre in short films- Romantic

'The genre of the movie can be told in the first few minutes of it, by the different elements- the props, setting, characters etc. Genre means the style of what the film entails, due to the conventions set in.'

The Generic Conventions

-Aimed at a female based audience
-"Boy meets girl" scenario, where they happen to meet
-Hints throughout the film that they are a good match or they are destined to be together
-There is a situation in the middle of the film which separates them, conflict in which they cant be together
- The problem is resolved and they reunite, to live happily ever after
-The story usually links to the audiences emotions
- Sexuality, gender, relationships and status
-Set in a well known place/city/county

Romance movies are always popular amongst the girls, who love a good love story of which is every girls dream to find that perfect guy in the perfect way. At the start of a movie the main characters are always introduced in some way, it could be by narration and seeing or from the script of what others say, or from the surroundings of what is going on (Mise-en-Scene). The writer/director creates the film in a way that the audience can relate to, certain scenarios that the girls and boys will come across during their teenage years. There is normally a problem in the way of the 2 people not being together, either the other person doesn't know about the other, or family disapprove, or they are moving away, lots of typical conventions but the couple always find a way of being happy together again.

Props
-Usually romantic based things like chocolate, flowers, gifts.
-The giving of gifts is commonly associated with the genre as it is a reflection of romance and love.

Characters
- 2 main characters, typically a boy and girl
The man: virtually the love interest, an attractive male who is the selling point of the film.
The women:  sometimes an innocent women, or someone who has had lots of unsuccessful relationships where they have been hurt.
- Friendship groups
- Parents who are either supportive or don't agree with the relationship.
-Supportive friend who gives advice
- The person who causes the problem

Mise-en-Scene
The stereotypical places romance films are set are urban environments where people would likely meet such as a city, beach, school. At the start it is typical the scene will be set with an establishing and wide shots. The lighting is usually natural and soft because there is no need to build up suspense and for it to be in touch with reality making the story as believable as possible. The settings mainly links to the main characters background and life, as they reflect their lifestyle. Costumes link again to their lifestyle or job,  for example a business man we are going to see him in a suit, reflecting his profession and lifestyle. Costumes are usually casual and normal clothing unless its portraying a time period or cultured area.

Sound
Diegetic sounds are from noises that are happening in the scene that haven’t been edited in, this means sounds like people talking or things like footsteps. People can usually tell which sound is diegetic from what they can see on the screen.

Non-diegetic sounds are sounds that have been added in, this can include things like music, a narration and sound effects. Non-diegetic sounds are often used to add drama to moments that would be silent without it.

There is usually non-diagetic sound to tell the audience how to feel in certain scenes, example: sad calm music to make the audience feel remorse and sadness for the character/s. Diagetic sound doesn't need to be exaggerated or edited so much because suspense isn't needed and only natural sounds are used.

Positives of Romance Films
-Low budgeting
-Minimal Editing
-Sound can create atmosphere
-Locations can be everyday, simple to get to and sets don't need to be expensive
-Simple camera shots, no extreme angles
-Follows a simple storyline
-Lots of characters are not needed.

Negatives of Romance Films
-Can be difficult to think of new storylines
-Could be difficult to find actors that want to work in 'romantic' scenes

Textual Analysis of Romantic film
Pretty Woman:
A man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love. In this modern update on Cinderella, a prostitute and a wealthy businessman fall hard for one another, forming an unlikely pair.
This film features the traditional romantic conventions- boy meets girl who are both from very different backgrounds, set in Los Angeles and city with everyday settings. It is mainly set in a high class hotel where Edward (Richard Gere) stays when he requests an escort. The non-diagetic sounds tell the audience how to feel. The clothing represents their status in society, a businessman and an escort called Vivian (Julia Roberts), who wears revealing clothing but learns the life of a higher class society and changes her life to fit Edward's.




My Own Idea for a Romantic Film
Set in California, two teenagers, 18 years of age, a boy and girl go on an average house party, enjoying the night and the people around them, but end up sleeping together. The girl falls pregnant but doesn't keep in contact with the boy because he is an arse, her best friend who is also a boy, helps her through the pregnancy and they slowly start to realise that they are falling for each other. But will their friendship be ruined, or will they work things out and be a happy family, this story is spread over the course of 5 years.

Wes Anderson

'Wes Anderson 's films are concerned with home and family ties: the old ones we do our best to escape from, and the new ones we build for ourselves in an attempt to fill the gap'. The Telegraph on Wes Andersons movie style.
His modern, alternative style is distinctive and chances are if you know of Anderson's past films, you can spot one of his films within the first minute of it. With his distinct colour palette that links everything from the production design to the outfits , Anderson set of flourishing visuals that give his films the specific fantastical feeling they all have. His framing is nearly almost stationary, his shots are always still and doesn't like panning, if something is moving he will move with it. His work contradicts the rules of film of placing the main object to the side of the shot, but he puts it in the centre. Most film directors tend to shy away from placing the actors in the centre of the frame, his fascination with symmetry but this makes Wes Anderson such a distinct director. The hazy-hued shots enables us to peer into the directors unique world of retro quality that's give his films as nostalgic feel.

Here are a few of his films:
-Fantastic Mr Fox
-Rushmore
-Moonrise Kingdom
-Grand Budapest Hotel
-The Royal Tenenbaums


Artist and Wes Anderson enthusiast Hamish Robertson says, “Anderson's colour palettes are integral to his cinematic ‘world-building’. His eye for art direction and fantastic attention to detail creates the appropriate space and tone for his characters to exist in – and for the viewer to lose themselves in. They ultimately become their own visual language, the way character themes are elaborated in cinematic scores, allowing an immersive visual experience whether the sound is on or not.”






When looking at a director we need to answer a question, this is mine;


When looking at Wes Anderson films what is it about them that distinguish them from others?
points to focus on:
Symmetry
Colour Palette
Music
Re-occurring Actors
Family Centred


This link takes you to an article of 12 reasons to make you love Wes Anderson :
http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2014/12-reasons-to-make-you-love-the-films-of-wes-anderson/



This is the script from my video on Wes Anderson:


Wes Anderson is an American film director and screenwriter who is known for his unique, artistic, unmistakable movies. The meticulous colour schemes, quirky characters, dialogue, still camera shots and geometric concepts are elements which distinctively separates them from every other film. His pitch-perfect musical choices and the blending of European art-house traits with a stylish, modern view point attract the alternative audience and more recently the mainstream public. His films are concerned with home and family and are probably the best modern example of directors. Moreover, the audience can best understand his characters and stories by being more aware of previously missed technicalities. Artist and Wes Anderson enthusiast Hamish Robertson says, “Anderson's colour palettes are essential to his cinematic ‘world-building’. His eye for art direction and fantastic attention to detail creates the appropriate space and tone for his characters to exist in – and for the viewer to lose themselves in. They ultimately become their own visual language, the way character themes are elaborated in cinematic scores, allowing an immense visual experience whether the sound is on or not. "
   Symmetry is a massive part of his films, most directors put the main subject to the side of the frame, but Anderson places the focal point exactly in the center of the shot and the background is as symmetrical as possible but also looks natural. He loves to compose his shots with perfect symmetry, from his breakout hit Rushmore, stop-motion fantastic Mr. Fox and his most recent The Grand Budapest Hotel, he consistently organizes the element in the frame so the most important thing in the center. Directors were taught not to do this, as an asymmetrical shot is more natural.

Anderson’s films are consistently unique and vivid where they continually have a specific colour pattern throughout each film. Sometimes its not always noticeable at first, for example The Life Aquatic, he uses scheme of colour continually throughout the layout, background and with characters which create a unique and visually compelling combination. The colours are readjusted and edited to fit the theme of Anderson’s style, they are retro styled colours to give the films an alternative and nostalgic theme. Moonrise Kingdom is probably the most naturally coloured film.

Actors that regularly occur in films of the same director draw the same audience back in and are easily identified as a Wes Anderson film. Bill Murray has racked up most screen time with him, appearing in seven of his films. Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzmann are also other common actors. He uses actors which are counted as friends, so there is harmony and the film can get the best outcome.

Anderson’s stylistic choice sparks scrutiny by many but is also loved, his work has provoked much discussion, and because it is so different to other contemporary directors this is why his work has stood out from others and many have warmed to his style. He is the master of storytelling and visually outstanding, most casual mainstream movie goers haven’t heard of his but passionate alternative film fanatics are very fond of his films, but his work is becoming more known to the common public eye.

 

 

 

Preliminary Task

Our chosen song for our preliminary task is American Authors- 'Best Day of my Life', we wanted to create a happy video with a happy song. We didn't have many ideas and had a short amount of time to finish it in, so idea popped into my head of a montage video of lots of photos put together. Eventually our video idea was to take multiple photos of people in our sixth form, boys and girls, we montage them together. We also needed to have a mime section, which we added in to the chorus.
This is our preliminary task.

This Adele song also has a form of montage, short clips are then merged together to create the video.